Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our theme of “Celebrations” continues, and I’m excited to have the talented Barbara Bettis here today. We’re featuring For This Knight Only from her Knights of Destiny series.

Sliding his hand down to cover hers, Roark led her to the side, away from curious ears. He would make one last effort.

“Understand lady, I do this for your protection.” His low voice was fierce. “Luck has been with you. For whatever reason, no one has used the kind of force needed to capture this place. Once word about your brother is out, they will come.

“It won’t take much, believe me. I’ve overrun castles manned by more fighters than you muster, and I have done it with fewer soldiers. I’m here now, and I will defend you and your people. Consider their safety, if not your own.”

He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him. If only either had a choice. It’s a marriage only love can save.

Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin.

Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord.

But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters.